Developing a stocking rate for laboratory reared Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Stocking rate experiments were conducted on the tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris, from March 2009 to November 2009. Initial stocking rates were based upon the number of oviposition packets needed to stock one rearing container. Three stocking rates, two, four and six packets, were used as treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times in four separate containers, for a total of 12 containers per experiment. Females produced from initial stocking experiments were counted and weighed. The largest number of females produced with no significant decline in weight was observed in containers stocked with two oviposition packets. The number of females produced in these containers was then used to stock new containers. An equal number of males were also put into the containers, because TPB have been shown to have a 1:1 sex ratio. Oviposition packets were then collected from this known number of females, and were then used to stock new containers at two packets per container. Through this procedure consistency of number of eggs laid and number of females produced could be established and maintained for the length of rearing the TPB colony.